WITH VIRTUALLY THE WHOLE WORLD IN LOCKDOWN, TEACHING PROFESSIONALS HAVE BEGUN FINDING NOVEL WAYS TO REACH THEIR AUDIENCE
It has been almost a month since the lockdown was imposed here in Singapore, and it’s just been announced that it will be extended yet another month, till June. With fast-rising cases due largely to foreign dormitory workers being crammed together in tight housing, it doesn’t seem that the situation will get much better by mid-year too.
And with that, the fairways and greens of the island’s 12 remaining golf properties will remain untouched, while its proponents remain nestled restlessly in their homes and reduced to air swings here and about.
Golf coach and TV personality Lip Ooi sharing home drills on Instagram
If tournament golf had become increasingly boring to watch on TV previously, the lack of it now makes the ache even harder to bear. At least the never-ending nights in our ‘Circuit Breaker’-termed lockdown can be distracted away by watching the world’s top professionals have at each other.
Well, it seems we aren’t the only ones needing to scratch that golfing itch. Pros around the world like Padraig Harrington, Bubba Watson and even a pregnant Michelle Wie have taken to social media to dispense tips, tricks and well, in the case of Wie, driving a 320-yard par 4 with her belly clearly showing; I have a belly showing too but I still struggle to go past 220 yards most times!
Back here in Singapore, our own crop of golf pros have taken to social media to share tips with practically anyone in their WhatsApp chat list. They have been innovative to say the least.
Lip Ooi, a popular figure amongst golfers here for his forays commenting on golf tournaments and even doing so at the Masters, is a social media prince of the highest order; well, as far as golf in Singapore is concerned.
He has started doing online fitness drills and theory sessions on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Recently, he has even adopted TikTok, a Gen Z short-form video platform, to showcase his humorous side.
He is not alone, of course. Golf coaches across the island have taken to either developing a series of indoor golfing drills, exercises or simply asking people what they want to learn. Daren Lim, head coach at Tanah Merah Country Club, developed the club’s junior programme from scratch since taking over as head coach some four years back.
Daren Lim shares tips with daughter Kaili often assisting
Since the start of the Circuit Breaker, he has put together a weekly series of tips, some even involving his adorably talented pre-primary daughter, Kaili. Knowing how golfers are motivated, he has taken to giving gifts and free rounds of golf in his quizzes at the end of each session. Of course, these are meant for his students only but in the world of social media, it is all too easy for a good piece of advice to travel around the block.
To those in the know, there are plenty to choose from. But to the uninitiated, it remains hidden in cyberspace; it is not pervasive yet and certainly not something you can google and find. You still need to be connected through social media or had it shared by friends. But it is there, and if you find them and work with them, it may surprise you when you do actually get back on the golf course.
Truth be told, I think I’m really preaching to the choir here. Malaysia’s many talented professionals will have done the same, and if you’re bored stiff, instead of lazing around at home, maybe it’s time to ring up your golf coach … who would likely have all the time in the world for you now, and shave a couple of strokes off your handicap.
Who says the learning has to stop?
